# NTSB CEN24LA246: Air Tractor AT-402, N9185K, Helm, MS, June 30, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 30, 2024, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Helm, MS - Coordinates: 33.49772, -90.860493 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4977&lon=-90.8605&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194585 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194585/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194585 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA246 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=0390205), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0390205), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=0390205), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0390205), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0390205), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=0390205), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0390205), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Air Tractor AT-402, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0390205), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that while on takeoff from a 2,200 ft partial concrete and grass private runway, the airplane failed to lift off due to density altitude. He initiated a controlled dump of the hopper load near the end of the runway to increase climb performance. The pilot stated that the airplane then stalled and impacted terrain off the departure end of the private strip, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. The accident occurred after the pilot had conducted several agricultural spray applications with 350 gallon loads. He stated that temperature had reached 96°F and he should have carried a smaller load since conditions were not favorable. At the time of the accident density altitude had increased to about 2,530 ft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9185K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9185K-2025-11-29), registration cancelled 2025-11-29, S/N 402-0908, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-402 - Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-402](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-402) (registry code 0390205) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402-0908 - Year built: 1993 - Airframe hours: 15360 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6 -15 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Love Aero LLC - Registered owner: Love Aero LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 2024, 40 hours before - Departed: PVT, Helm, MS - Destination: PVT, Helm, MS - Airport: PVT, Pvt, runway 18, 2,200 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 31, 2024; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,451 total, 1,201 in this make and model, 1,451 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 81 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Icing: Unknown - Observed at: KGLH, 6 nm away - METAR: KGLH 301535Z AUTO 27005KT 10SM CLR 34/27 A3014 RMK T03400270 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20240630006469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240630006469A), Jun 30, 2024: Air Tractor Inc AT-402, Leland, MS, Substantial damage. On the morning of June 30 2024, pilot of AT-402 was carrying loads of 350 gallons out of home strip. By late morning, temperature had reached upper 90'S. The… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194585. 5.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17435852&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Accident%20Report%20Form%20CEN24LA246_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17442722&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs%20CEN24LA246-Rel.pdf - Meteorological data summary (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17578093&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Density%20Altitude%20CEN24LA246-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.